Chateau St Michel St Lizier South of France Destination Wedding | David and Tracy
THE MOUNTAINS CALL
Ok so I have a feeling this is going to be a pretty long post so pre warning to those who cannot or will not read. Skip this essay & go straight to the images. I am going to be honest with you. That first photo in the set almost made me well up when I got home & saw it for the first time on screen. Not because of the emotion, nor the fact it’s a wedding in the South of France or even because of the incredible venue. But that image right there is one very few that has shuck me to my very core, slapped me around my face & said. “Ryan you are doing something right!”
Now what do I mean by that? Well I am not one of those to throw my camera to the side & say “I’m incredible I can’t learn any more, I am the game changer.” No. I can always improve, I can always learn more. I can always feel inspired. I can always Love my job & stand back & see where I can make myself better. This portrait was taken in the 5 minutes I had after a long, tiring, emotional & incredible day. It was taken with no light but what you see here. It was taken with pre vision. As in I arrived at the Chateau, I saw the festoon lighting, the pool reflection & wanted that shot. I hungered for that shot.
I haven’t done a ‘destination’ wedding before. I say destination like that because the very word annoys me. From the back streets of Leeds to the Yorkshire Dales to some little pub in the arse end of no where. YOU ARE ALL A DESTINATION. You are all place. But this place was pretty special as you are about to see. The amazing Tracy & David flew me to the absolutely awe inspiring Chateau Saint Michel in St Lizier France outside of Toulouse to celebrate their wedding in France. Amidst family & friends they made this giant pink building of beauty their own home for a week.
Here was where I arrived at Chateau St Michel in the midst of one of the biggest storms I have ever seen with the perfect travelling companion Victoria Farr Make Up & Hair in a tiny red car inappropriately named “Red Flame” by Toulouse airport car rentals. Re named to “Giant used tampon” by some idiot with a camera.
There as lightning struck & I stood amidst long time friends I realised what laid ahead was an experience I would never forget. The following day every one joined in to decorate the St Lizier Chateau with chairs & tables pool side. The groomsmen arranged the entire ceremony venue amidst the highest point of St Lizier. For their amidst the mountains & the cathedral & the winding alleys David & Tracy spoke their vows.
As words rolled across the landscapes of France. It seems the clouds had heard the voices & shed tears upon the dry earth. With no shelter from the storm, guests & family alike moved the entire outdoor reception inside the Chateau to make one of the most beautiful rooms I have ever seen. Speeches were made, bonds were made stronger & finally beneath the fading light of a long Summers day their was one last dance.
The rain may have come. The Thunder may have spoken. But all that matters was the long embrace into a waking dawn.
Are you getting married in the South of France & need a destination wedding photographer with a difference. Lets talk! Say Hello to Shutter Go Click!
THE PHOTOGRAPHS
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